Railway-crossing.



R. A. DYER, JR.

RAILWAY CROSSING.

APPLICATION FILED 00121, 1913.

Patented Mar. 3, 1914.

2 BHEBTB-BHEET 1.

STATES ATE RAILWAY-CROSSING.

I Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 3, 1914.

Application filed October 1, 1913. Serial No. 792,896.

To (ZZZ whom it may concern Be it known that 1, ROBERT A. Dyna, Jr., of Auburn, in the county of Cayuga, in the State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Railway-Crossings, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to railway crossings for use in connection with either steam or street railroads.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a continuous, smooth, solid bearing surface for the tread portions of the wheels of a car passing along either track, so as to avoid heavy jolting and pounding of the cars or trains in passing, with the resulting injurious effects to both cars, rails and road bed, and for this purpose a suitable series of seats and movable blocks are provided at the crossing points of rails, said blocks adapted to move relatively to their seats and to each other in such a manner that the flange of a car wheel may pass through between them in either direction and at the same time the tread of the wheel will have a continuous bearin surface.

A further object is to so construct the crossing that the movable blocks will be automatically shifted to the desired position for allowing the passage of a train in either direction, by the flange of the car wheel as it comes to the crossing and proton ably to provide means for returning the blocks to closed position after the passage of each wheel.

A further object is to form the section where each rail intersects another, of a suitable integral casting having intersecting partitions extending at substantially the height of the plane of the flange groove of the rail and alined with said grooves, to divide the casting into four parts, each part formed with a seat for one of the movable blocks and each movable block provided with a portion adapted to overhang each partition and with which the flange of a car wheel is adapted to contact for moving the blocks.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a plan view of a railway crossing constructed substantially in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of one of the sections where two rails intersect. Fig. 3 is a cross section on line 38, Fig. 2. Fig. 4: is a cross section on line M, Fig. 2, showing the removable blocks in full. Fig. 5 is' a view similar to Fig. 4, except the movable blocks are shown as spread apart by the passage of a car wheel, shown in dotted lines. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of each section where rails intersect, showing the partitions and block seats. Fig. 7 is a perspective View of one of the movable blocks.

The invention comprises a cross-over as shown in Fig. 1, each section where rails intcrsect being formed of a suitable integral casting -1- shown more clearly in Fig. 6, and having intersecting partitions -2- and 3- extending at substantially the height of the plane of the flange groove 1l and 5- andv dividing said body into four separate portions, each of said portions provided with a seat -(3- preferably substantially triangular in form and preferably having their back walls, from about the central portion thereof, beveled downwardly and outwardly to form spaces for the reception of dust, cinder-s, etc. which may collcct in the seats 6--. In each of these seats -6- is placed a movable block 7 having its lower portion --8-- adapted to fit against the sides of the partitions --2-- and -3, and for this purpose, the front face of each block is formed angular in cross section and of substantially the same climcnsion as the angle formed by the intersecting partitions ----2 and -3-. It will be apparent, however, that it is not essential that the partitions 2- and "3- meet at right angles but that they may meet at any appreciable angle and that the blocks 7- may likewise be formed to fit their respective seats. The upper portion of these blocks is preferably formed, as shown, with a plurality of plani-formed sides and overhanging the partitions --2- and -3 so that the flange of a car wheel will contact therewith and move the blocks a suflicicnt distance to allow the passage of the flange. It is readily apparent, however. that the overhanging portions of these blocks may be segmental or of any other form, adapted to be readily moved by contact with the flange of the car wheel.

The rear wall of each of the seats -6-- is provided with a pocket -l0-- and each of the blocks --7- with a slot -11 extending partially through the blocks, for the reception of a coil or other spring l2-- adapted to hold each block in contact with the partitions -2- and -3- and their projecting portions in contact with each other. The slot -11-, as above described, preferably opens to the bottom of the block 7 so that the block may be readily inserted or withdrawn from its seat after the spring is in place. Although the construction in which these springs are utilized is preferable, yet it will be readily seen that the device will operate efliciently if the springs are omitted and in such case the spring pocket 10- and slot 11- may likewise be eliminated, for the reason that if the blocks are separated to allow a wheel to pass in one direction they will remain in this position until a wheel coming from the other direction contacts with them and shifts them to proper position for allowing its passing. The only distinction between the operations with the springs and without them is that in the former case the blocks normally close the flange groove in both directions, while in the latter construction they are normally closed in one direction only.

In actual practice, when the section 1- is cast either singly or in suitable separate sections, it is somewhat diiiicult to mill or properly grind the floor of the seats 6- to form a smooth surface over which the blocks 7- will readily slide and each seat is, therefore, preferably provided with a removable smooth plate -13 upon which the blocks 7 rest so that they will slide with the least possible friction.

I have shown, in Fig. 3, a drain opening 14:- leading from one of the seats 6 through the casting 1 and adapted to discharge, by gravity, water or other fluid or semi-fluid that may collect in the seat, and it is readily apparent that each seat may be provided with a similar opening as desired, or that any other suitable means for accomplishing this purpose may be utilized.

Although I have shown and described a particular form of device as preferable, it is readily apparent that many changes may be made in the details of construction and op eration without departing from the spirit of my invention as set forth in the appended claims, so long as a series of seats and movable blocks therein are utilized to provide a continuous bearing surface and adapted to be automatically shifted to allow a train to pass in either direction without afiecting the continuity of said surface. 1

What I claim is:

1. A railway crossing comprising a body portion having intersecting partitions and movable blocks confined by said partition walls.

2. A railway crossing comprising a body portion having intersecting partitions alined with the flange grooves in the respective rails, and movable blocks separated by said partitions.

A railway crossing comprising a body portion having intersecting partitions alined with the flange grooves in the respective rails, movable blocks separated by said partitions, and having portions above the partitions adapted to contact withthe flange of a car wheel.

l. A railway crossing comprising a body portion having seats formed therein, plates having a smooth surface in said seats and movable blocks resting on said plates.

5. A railway crossing comprising a body portion having intersecting partitions, blocks separated by said partitions and having portions above saidpartitions in contact with each other.

6. A railway crossing comprising a body portion having seats formed therein, independently movable blocks in said seats, a pocket in the rear face of said seats, an open-sided depression in the rear face of said blocks, and a spring positioned in said pocket and said depression. a

7. A railway crossing comprising a body portion having intersecting partitions and movable blocks having their lower portions spaced by said partitions and their upper portions projecting over said partitions.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand September, 1913.

ROBERT A. DYER, JR.

Witnesses E. A. TI-IOMPSON,' VIOLA HowLANn.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, I). 0. 

